Singapore's Muslim community mourns death of Ustaz Ibrahim Kassim

SINGAPORE - The local Muslim community mourned the death of a religious leader, Ustaz Ibrahim Kassim, on Thursday, May 8.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) paid tribute to the religious leader with a post on its Facebook page, "Today, we lost a well-respected senior religious leader in the community, Ustaz Haji Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Kassim.

"Ustaz Ibrahim Kassim was deeply dedicated in his service to the community and beyond, where he was awarded Muis' Anugerah Jasa Cemerlang (Excellent Service Award) in 2011."

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also sent a condolence message to the late religious leader's daughter.

Here is PM Lee's condolence message:

Please accept my sincere condolences on your father Ustaz Ibrahim Kassim's passing.

Ustaz Ibrahim was a respected religious teacher who made valuable contributions to the Muslim community and Singapore. He championed moderate Islam, and worked closely with the Government and the Muslim community to counter radical Islamic ideologies propagated by extremist terrorists. Ustaz Ibrahim was a strong supporter of the Religious Rehabilitation Group, serving as a counsellor for more than a decade.

Ustaz Ibrahim did much to promote racial and religious harmony in Singapore. He recognised the importance of strengthening our multi-racial and multi-religious society, and regularly spoke up in favour of tolerance and mutual respect. He made a special effort to attend my dialogue with the Malay/Muslim leaders on the tudung issue in January, even though he was ill. I was touched that he subsequently wrote to me to support what I had said about the tudung issue, and to reaffirm his commitment to serving the community despite his health.

I met Ustaz Ibrahim again at the Pioneer Generation tribute party in February. He was frail, but in good spirits. Like others of that special generation, Ustaz Ibrahim overcame difficult circumstances to help build a cohesive, multi-racial society. He inspired many with his commitment to the community and to Singapore. His passing is a great loss to us all.

My thoughts are with you and your family during this period of mourning.